West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-09-16
StateE Edition
RAILROADS AND POLITICIANS.


loader against the German Ring (
that has corrupted Maryland poll /
tics. Heretofore he has cooperated |
with clean democrats like Ex-Gov.
Hamilton, Teackle Wallis and Chas.
Marshall. These gentlemen occupy
in Maryland the place which in
West Va. is held by such men as
Jno. j. Davis, Morrow, John Bran
non, Judge Raymond, Col. Chew,
and the many others who are striv-
inc to break down machine meth
DDS. The reform element in Mary
land, having been defeated by the
German Ring in three campaigns,
Mr.. Cowen, who asks no office, an
nounced his purpose to support the
republican nominees at the coming
State election: the republicans have
nominated clean men and, exclud
ing National issues, propose to
make the canvass on questions
which concern the State government
only; Cowen has always been
democrat and asserts that he has
no intention of voting against his
party in Federal elections. Cow
ems rebellion against the machine
is followed more or less actively by
Wallis, Marshall, and by the other
clean democrats whose concern for
honest government is greater than
their desire to make money out OF
politics. The leader of this REBEL
ion is singled out and the chief at
tack is made against him. The
Sun charged that Governs course
was prompted by his corporation.
The B. & o. is exempt from certain
taxes and the German Ring allege
that they wish new constitution
to repeal this exemption. Mr.. Cow
en- contends that the exemption is
contract which cannot be impaired
and that the proposition for its re
peal by a new constitution is a
mere pretext for other and very diff
ferent objects now contemplated by
the democractic bosses. In answer
to the charges made by the Sun he
has printed letter which, coming
from a man thoroughly acquainted
with railroad politics and who is
truthful, should be carefully read.
This letter ought to convince every
one that. unless the people rouse
from their apathy, the railroads will
exclude from the public service all
the men disposed to curb their ag-
gressions. Altho' written for very
different purpose, Governs letter
shows the extent to which politics
are managed by railroad politicians.
Let it be remembered that the mo-
ment a man of capacity and courage
refuses to lend himself to the objects
of railroad managers, that moment
the most powerful influences are
combined against him; while on the
other hand the body of the people,
those he serves,-seldom appreciate
his services in their behalf
But this letter is full of sugges-
tion to the holders of railroad secu
rites; it disclOses that the inside
managers of these corporations find
it necessary to continue thieves IN
office in order to prevent "hostile
legislation" If "hostile legisla
ton" means any interference with
legitimate railroad business, then
these CORPORATIONS are infinitely
safer with men like Wallis and Mar
shall in Maryland and with men like
Jno. Davis and Chew in West Va !;
but if hostile legislation" means
laws to protect the general public
against the secret and illegal prac-
tees Of railroad managers,-such
for example as their determinations
in favor Ofenterprises in which they
are interested, then they are, for q
brief time, safer with the politicians
they are now using; yet they are
safe only for brief time, for pres
emily the body of the people will
wake up to the value of men who do
not betray public duty to accom-
plish personal promotion. These
railroad managers had better consid-
er, before 1t is too late, that scatter
ed all over this land are men. brave.
true and determined, who, like Cow
en-, feel the hOOf of an unclean beast
upon their necks, and they will throw
it off though they die"